iB 110 
B2 
:opy 1 



THIRD 
DRY FARMING CONGRESS 



CHEYENNE, WYO., U. S. A. 
FEB. 23, 24, AND 25, 1<K)9 



Addresses by the Special and Official Bra/jlian Delegate, 
L. BAETA-NEVES. M. O. E. 

Vice-President and Correspondiag Secretary 
of the Dry Farming Congress for Brazil 



INVITATION AND WORDS OF APPRECIATION 
OF THE CONGRESS 




>^^^l 



'J , 



fSiK^ 




L. BAETA-NEVES 

Mining and Civil Engineer; Graduate of the Ouro Prete Mining School, Brazil; Chief of 
the Technical Department of the Directory of Railway and Public Works in Minas 
Geraes, Brazil; Member of the Historic and Geographic Institute of the same state; 
Member of the National Geographic Society of Washington; Knight of Columbus; 
Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles, Cal.; Representative of the 
Brazilian Government before the Scientific Congresses 16th Irrigation and 3ra 
Dry Farming in America, and Vice-President and Corresponding Secretary of this 
Congress; Special Delegate of Brazil before the I 7th National Irrigation Congress 
at Spokane, Wash., where, by selection, he addressed the meeting on behalf of 
the Foreign Represensatives. 



THIRD 
DRY FARMING CONGRESS 



CHEYENNE, WYO., U. S. A. 
FEB. 23, 24, AXD 25, 1909 



Addresses by the Special and Official Brazilian Delegate. 
L. BAETA-i\EVES. M. C. E. 

n 
Vice-President and Corresponding Secretary 

of the Dry Farming Congress for Brazil 



INVITATION AND WORDS OF APPRECIATION 
OF THE CONGRESS 






TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
Subjects Page 

Dedication 1 

Invitation 3 

Message from Brazil ' 3 

Necessities and Possibilities of Dry-Farming in Brazil 6 

Official Address on Belialf of Brazil " 12 

Credentials 12 

Brazilian Presents Flag to the City 16 

Closing Session of the Dry-Farming Congress 17 

Words of Appreciation of the Dry-Farming Congress 19 

Governor Norris, of Montana, writes Dr. L. Baeta-Neves 22 

Cheers for Brazil 23 



Portraits and illustrations. 
L. Baeta-Neves 

L. Baeta-Neves, father of Dr. L. Baeta-Neves 
A Group of Foreign Delegates 

An Ordinary Session of the Dry-Farming Congress 
Hon. John T. Burns 
A Brazilian-American ' '. t 



Gift 

Author 
(Porion) 

3 N'09 



DEDICATION. 

To the sacred memory of my sainted father, 
Lourenco Baeta Neves, 

Farmer in Queluz de Minas, Brazil. 




I am unfortunate in not knowing my father, he having 
died before my birth. My devoted mother, by her unlimited 
affection for her chiklren has done everything possible for 
them and we really have not suffered from the material loss of 
our father. But my spirit has never found consolation, except 
in God, for not having known him. Having been taught by 
my mother, since my infancy I know quite well about his 
spirit of kindness, his diligence in the performance of his do- 
mestic and civil duties. 

My mother always tried to inspire her children with the 
same virtues, hoping that we always might honor the name 
that we bear. I have alreadv five children and they are being 



brought up under the same principles by which my mother 
educated me. And I sincerely hope that they will always be 
worthy of the name they have inherited from their grand- 
father. Placing here his picture, which I have carried all my 
life, over my heart, I wish to divide with his sacred memory, 
the great honor extended to his son in the Dry Farming Con- 
gress in America. 



To my dear, devoted moiher. 
Dona Maria Leonor Teixeira Baeta Neves. 

Honoring this book with j'our name, I am exceedingly 
glad to dedicate to you what, by right, is your own. 

I have already many 'publications, but none that I consider 
worthy to bear your name. Only now I wish to share with you 
the honor conferred upofl me, in America. I am writing in 
English, a language with which you are not familiar, different 
from that in which you taught me the lesson of duty. But 
the change of language does not signify a change of heart; 
this remains the same as you made it, palpitating in the same 
manner, feeling the same love for you. Being a father, I now 
realize fully the love of a parent, and can appreciate more 
than ever your kindness and affection for me. 

I owe my technical education and my success as a profes- 
sional man in this country to the School of Mines, in Ouro 
Preto, my beloved birth place. But something more than 
technical knowledge was necessary to obtain for me the posi- 
tion which I have attained among Brazilian and American 
Society, and this came entirely from you, who have always 
taught me to be worthy of and to love our country which your 
parents so much honored. Therefore it is fitting that you 
should share in the honor extended to your son in America. 

Please accept it, and rest assured that my gratitude also 
extends to the sacred memory of my sainted grandmother, the 
viscountess of Camargos, who was my second mother. 

Grod bless you. 

Lourenco. 

Knoxville, Tennessee. 
Oct. 1909. 



Trans- Missouri Dry Farming Congress 

Cheyenne, Wyo. 

Senor L. Baeta-Neves, 
723 Eleanor Street, 
Knoxville, Tenn. 
Dear Sir: 

In behalf of the program committee, it gives me pleasure to invite 
you to address the Third Trans-Missouri Dry Farming Congress, which 
convenes February 23-24-25, stating to us the conditions in your country 
pertaining to possible development under dry farming; what has al- 
ready been accomplished and what could be accomplished under these 
systems. 

We shall hope to hear an early acceptance from you. 

Very truly yours, 

JOHN T. BURNS, 
JTB— N. Secretary. 



MESSAGE FROM BRAZIL. 



Opening Session — Tuesday Morning, Feb. 23rd 



Response to Welcome to Foreign Delegates 



(Published by many Western and Chicago papers this short address attracted many 
kind words toward Brazil. — Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Congress ) 



Senor L. Baeta-Neves, a special delegate from Brazil, 
thanked the congress for courtesies extended in the following 
words : 

Your Excellency. Governor of Wyominti', and President 
of this congress, Honorable ]\rem])ers of the Third Trans- 
Missouri Dry Farming congress. Ladies and Gentlemen : 

"Honored by a special invitation sent to me through the 
kindness of Mr. John T. Burns, secretary of this congress, to 
take part in these sessions, that Ave are now attending with 
so great interest, I immediately decided to accept the invita- 



tion. But making such a decision, certainly, i could not have 
any idea of declining the courtesy extended to me by that 
gentleman, and of coming to learn b}' your experience what 
interests me too, and constitutes one of the subjects of my 
scientific investigation in this admirable country. 

"The great deal of which I learned in the last irrigation 
congress, in Albuquerque, that I attended in the capacity of 
delegate of the Braziliaai government, influenced me very 
much ; so that, I do not wish to lose this important meeting 
of the Dry Farming congress, so full of interest and utility 
for the peoples who wish the prosperity of their countries. 

"In the irrigation congress I had practically an additional 
proof of the advantages coming from the co-operation of dif- 
ferent ideas for the solution of one certain problem. The 
experience of many a man in different ways, under different 
conditions of time and place, is, undoubtedly, the best and surest 
factor of success in any work, principally when we consider 
something like dry farming, that demands, above all, serious 
study and very much observation. 

"Really the dry farming problem is of this class and the 
great interest that it awakens all over the world is only a 
consequence of the combination of ideas and efforts of these 
pioneers of the work in the conquest of the land from the 
desert. And you. North Americans, better than any one else, 
know very well how to profit by this truth, and you, without 
having any egotistical feelings, without any intention of dem- 
onstrating superiority above other countries in the line of your 
works, open your doors to the foreigner who comes to study 
your progress. And with an altruism and courtesy that I 
appreciate very much, you show him the results of your patient 
experiments and all the necessary explanation to them. 

"For this splendid and sincere hospitality I present to you 
again the compliments which I have done before in ray publi- 
'cations and speeches in this country. 

"And with my best wishes for the successful results of 
this Third Trans-Missouri Dry Farming congress, I heartily 
thank von for vour courteous welcome." 



NECESSITIES AND POSSIBILITIES OF DRY FARMING 

IN BRAZIL. 



Third Session — Tuesday Evening, Feb 23rd 



Address by L. Baeta-Neves, reprinted from the Proceedings of 
the Congress, having been publislied in full and extract in gi'eat many 
daily papers and magazines of the United States, including the excel- 
lent Bulletin of the International Bureau of the American Republics. 
For these compliments paid to Brazil and honors conferred to the au- 
thor, he is indebted to the American Press. 



Your Excellency, Governor of Wyoming, and President of this 
Congress, Mr. Chairman, Honorable Members of the Third 
Trans-Missouri Dry Farming- Congress, Ladies and Gen- 
tlemen : — 

In the invitation that came to me through the courtesy 
of Mr. John T. Burns to attend the Congress, this gentleman 
asked me to tell you something about the necessities and pos- 
sibilities along the line of dry farming in Brazil. And to 
respond to this additional compliment which he paid me, I beg 
for a few minutes your attention. 

Brazil is not indifferent to the solution of the problem 
that is discussed in this meeting. If it was not for the interest 
that is awakening in all the world in this system of cultivation, 
that permits the increase of the living resources on the earth, 
getting from the desert lands room for the home of new gener- 
ations, Brazil would have suffi'cient reason to think on it. We 
have also a semi-dry region which must become prosperous 
and not lie perpetually unproductive. 

In our immense area about 250,000 square miles greater 
than the United States proper, there is one northern part, near 
the Atlantic Coast and below the Amazonic basin, where the 
drought comes almost periodically, bringing serious troubles 
to the lives of many thousands of Brazilians who live there. 

This part of the country though being small in comparison 
with the total surface of Brazil, is considerable in area, con- 
taining lands of great fertility, lacking only moisture to be 
productive. Any light rain transforms it, covering the land 



with green vegetation in a very few days. With moisture, 
everything grows there. Sucli lands are not more than 2000 
to 2400 feet in average above the sea level, on the mountains, 
and the dominant rooks are gneiss. 

You knoAV that we have no snow or ice in Brazil, and cer- 
tainly Ave cannot have them in that land which I speak about, 
lying a few degrees below the equatorial line and not being a 
high part. Its dryest part is between something like 2 degrees; 
5 minutes and 7 degn es south latitude, in the State of Ceara. 
Therefore the moisture to render the soil productive only 
comes from the rain, but this notwithstanding being enough for 
the desired productiveness, if we consider its aiuiual average, 
about twenty-five inches in the dryest time, does not produce 
the expected result because of its extraordinary irregularity, 
combined with great evaporation noted there. Sometimes the 
rain stops for many months, 'coming only in a very few days 
during the year. 

There, as you do here, the Krazilian Government is carry- 
ing on irrigation, but certain parts of such lands must be con- 
sidered in a different way, because of the difficulty or impossi- 
bility of getting Avater enough for irrigation purposes. For 
that reason, the Brazilian Government wishes to try the dry 
farming process. And as I spoke about it before the Six- 
teenth National Irrigation Congress. Brazilian general and 
state governments are interested in the Campbell system and 
experiments Avith it have been ordered in some places in order 
to estal)lish dry farming in semi-arid zones of the country. 
Such a process results so Avell in your country, Avhen properly 
applied, that it Avill be of great importance to us. principally^ 
in the northern states, if Ave can apply it successfully. 

Besides, in a very few years the dry farming process Avill 
also be of a necessity for other zones Avhere the cutting of the 
forest is changing the regularity of rains and causing the 
diminishing of the sources. 

But in the Brazilian semi-arid zone it is necessary to pre- 
vent the trouble tliat is brought to the process by an excessive 
rain fall, that sometimes comes at once, AA^hile pass months and 
months Avithout a drop of rain. If such a thing can be done, — • 
if Ave can get something along this line, I think the dry farm- 



ing system will be of successful application in the semi-arid 
zone of Brazil, provided that we adopt the system of biennial 
or triennial crops, to prevent the lack of sufficient rainfall 
in the years of excessive drought like those we had some time 
ago. 

In such a manner that land to be 'cultivated, must be 
divided into two or three portions, each of which holding tAvo 
or three years moisture for one good crop. One half or one 
third of the lands must be put in crops every year, while the 
other one half or two thirds portions will be keeping moisture, 
'being conveniently worked. Thus the laud will become produc- 
tive, but a little more than this is necessary for the permanent 
establishment of the system, that will be more lasting, if 
besides its material results, it will be more attractive. 

It is necessary that the farmer may find around himself 
some comfort for the complete happiness of his home. It is 
necessary that in the excess of sunshine he may find some com- 
fortable shade near his home given by the trees, which will 
render the temperature of the air more agreeable. In addition 
to this, some fruit trees and a small vegetable garden. 

To get all of this, our soil, even in the semi-dry lands, is 
not lacking in fertility, and we have sufficient underground 
water for irrigation of limited areas, that can be easily 
pumped from wells by wind mills or other more 'convenient 
machinery, the water being stored in reservoirs with sufficient 
capacitj^ to regulate the irrigation. 

Even without such consideration that to many people 
would seem of little importance in dry climates, the wells are 
a great necessity to supply water for the household and stock 
purposes, avoiding the hard work of obtaining water some- 
times miles and miles from the farm. 

From what I know by my own observation of the dry lands 
in my country, combined with the lessons that I have learned 
in the great West of America, I really do not know if we can 
do better by another way along the line of dry farming. This 
is my humble opinion, but certainly I give it to you with my 
highest appreciation of your great experience with this so 
important subject, in which I am scarcely yet initiated. 

As an egineer I have been working principally in water 



ways, and I am .especially interested in irrigation systems, but, 
besides this, I am investigating dry farming processes. 

This must be the compliment of irrigation, for, notwith- 
standing being entirely different in appearance both are similar 
in their results, consisting of two different ways of getting 
the same thing, — moisture for the plants. 

In order to take the most advantageous profit from the 
irrigations systems in dry lands, the water which remains in 
the irrigated field would be used without great expense for dry 
farming purposes, in limited area for orchards, etc. These 
being located below that field, down stream, even in a little 
higher land than the first ones; in this case the water will be 
stored and pumped. 

Thinking in such a manner, I used to study irrigation, ob- 
serving at the same time something along the dry farming 
line, but this otherwise was a special order from the last Presi- 
dent of my State in Brazil, one of the men who recently con- 
ferred more benefit on my country. He claimed the state of 
Minas Geraes from the primitive methods of cultivation and 
established scientific agriculture, introducing there the most ad- 
vantageous system of treating the soil. Unhappily for us 
Brazilians, this exceptional man died four months ago, when 
by the whole country he was spontaneously called to be candi- 
date for the Presidency for the next term, of the Republic of 
Brazil. 

The name of this man is Joao Pinheiro da Silva. whose 
memory we Brazilians love, as you do the memory of your 
greatest men. It must be known by this Congress as that of 
the Brazilian who in an official capacity was interested most 
in the dry farming process, principally because this meeting 
is the first one of such kind attended by a Brazilian. 

Joao Pinheiro da Rilva was one of the greatest of all 
Brazilians of our time, one of the founders of our republic, 
and of its best statesmen. 

He knew that the greatest benefactor of a country is the 
man who makes its soil productive, and among other important 
problems of his most excellent administration, he realized 
entirely the agricultural transformation of his State. His 
value was too great to be confined within the boundary of my 



country. By his death, in the history of Brazil a new page is 
opened from which, when his work will have been written, will 
radiate light strong enough to shine beyond the frontier of 
my countrj^ and he will be known wherever the history of 
America would be studied without regional prejudice; when 
the flags of American countries will form together a large flag 
of peace and fraternity, which shall wave over all parts of 
the Western Hemisphere, testifying to the world the complete 
victory of the Monroe doctrine. 



Dry Farming, if successfully applied, would be the best 
thing we could get for northern Brazil, below the Amazonic 
basin, that 'can offer to the farmer the most favorable condi- 
tions of climate and fertility of land, .just as the largest part of 
my country, where it is always delightful to live. 

Brazil in the largest portion of its territory is a country 
'endowed by nature in every particular way, and our resources 
are now securing more recognition from the world, while the 
foreigners turn to us their eyes, attracted by our rapid devel- 
opment and extraordinary progress. They, surprised at our 
civilization begin to study us more carefully. 

In a very few years our population, now so little in com- 
parison with the great area of the country, something like 
22,000,000 inhabitants, will be increased by several millions of 
foreign people who are going to live wit^i us, assured of the 
success of what they shall find in Brazil. 

Mr. John Barrett, one of the most distinguished American 
diplomats, director of the International Bureau of the Amer- 
ican Republics, at Washington, describing the opportunities of 
my country for legitimate exploitation of North America's cap- 
ital, said: "The simple fact that Brazil covers a greater area 
than the United States proper; that out of the Amazon River 
every day flows three or four times more water than out of 
the Mississippi ; that the city of Rio Janeiro, its capital, has 
now a population of 800,000 (we have one million or a little 
more — L. B. N.) and spent more money last year for public 
improvements than any city of the United States, excepting 
NcAV York ; and that today the central government and the 
different states are spending larger sums for harbor and river 

10 



improvements, than the g'overnment or states of the United 
States, all convince the most skeptical that Brazil is a field for 
the investor to study thoroughly and thoughfuUy. '' 

The International Bureau of the American Republics gives 
every month one of the best publications, full of interesting 
and valuable information, Avith fine illustrations, descriptions 
and official figures from reports of all American republics. 
This bulletin is an excellent source of study of all the Ameri- 
can countries maintained by the Bureau to promote commerce 
and trade, and develop among the Republics of the Western 
Hemisphere a better acquaintance, for certainly, from this 
ac(iuaintance will come "closer relations and more intimate 
intercourse along material, educational, intellectual and social 
lines. ' ' 

The same distinguished American in his interesting article 
under the title "The Land of Tomorrow" made true state- 
ments regarding my country, principally in regard to Rio de 
Janeiro, the federal capital of Brazil, that ho considers growing 
as fast as Boston, St. Louis or Baltimore, and that today is 
one of the most interesting national 'Centers of civilization. 
industry, art. literature and education in the world. 

Rio really is an advanced town, worthy of serious study, 
where the old civilization has much to learn, but our progress 
is not only concentrated in Rio, all over the country it will be 
noticed. 

And it was because he was sui'prised at such progress that 
Mr. Elihu Root paid a very ni'ce compliment to us, counseling 
all North Americans to think a little more of Brazil, advising 
them to go to South America instead of spending their vacation 
time in Europe. 

Brazil grows fast in every line, and the federal and state 
governments do all thej^ can to promote such a result. If in 
any way an improvement is considered necessary, we do not 
delay in starting it, and almost always, in a few months all 
things are ready. 

In the last few years we have begun and finished in Brazil 
permanent work that in many most advanced countries would 
take years and years to be done. To prove what I say I can 

11 



show YOU some illustrations of permanent works, truly monu- 
ments of art done in months by Brazilian engineers. 

A country that thus takes care of its progress, daily ad- 
vancing in civilization, cannot be indifferent to the solution of 
a problem like dry farming that is of vital importance to its 
future. It cannot leave unproductive eternally dry and 'crack- 
ing at the excessive sunshine, one of the most beautiful and 
fertile parts of the national territory, and sooner or later there 
will be seen the fruits from the lesson of this Congress, for 
whose attention I must thank you very much. 



OFFICIAL ADDRESS. 



Washington. D. C, Feb. 24, 1909. 
Mr. John T. Burns, Sec, 

Cheyenne, Wyo. 
Please consider Dr. Baeta-Neves as representing Brazil at your 
Congress, to which we wish all success. 

Signed, 

Joaquim Nabuco. 



Sixth Session — On the Evening of Feb. 24, 1 909 

Synopsis of the official speech of Dr. L. Baeta-Neves, Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Dry Farming Congress, presenting greetings to the Third 
Congress and State of Wyoming, in behalf of the Brazilian Govern- 
ment. Reprinted from the Official Proceedings of the Congress and 
Press of Cheyenne, Wyo. 



After the splendid musical concert with which was opened 
the evening session, and before the lecture announced in the 
official program, Dr. L. Baeta Neves was called upon by the 
acting President of the Congress and was greeted with great 
applause when he appeared on the platform, and was intro- 
duced to the people as an official represntative of tlie Republic 
of the United States of Brazil, appointed by telegram sent to 
the Congress by the Brazilian Ambassador at Washington. 

12 ' '' 



After having addressed himself to his Excellency, Gov- 
ernor Brook, of the State of Wyoming, and President of the 
Congress, to the acting Chairman, to delegates and to the ladies 
and gentlemen present, he thanked all for the applauses Avhich 
he considered as a fresh demonstration of the sympathy of the 
American people toward Brazil, and afterwards said in re- 
sumee : 

"I take great pleasure in coming again to this platform 
to say to you a very few words in the official capacity of del- 
egate of the Republic of the United States of Brazil. Yesterday 
in two sessions I came here by myself as a special delegate to 
this Congress by the kind invitation of your Secretary, Mr. 
John T. Burns, and now I appear once more before you as an 
interpreter of the thoughts of my country, to translate the 
best feelings of my whole nation, of the Brazilian people 
toward you. 

My Government, accepting the kind invitation extended 
to it by the Board of Control of this Congress, in order to be 
here represented, appointed me as its offi'cial representative 
before you, according to the telegram received to-day, by this 
Congress, from his Excellency. Dr. Joaquim Nabuco, Brazilian 
Ambassador at Washington, and I am honored a second time 
in bringing the official greetings from Brazil to you, American 
people ; the first time was at Albuquerque, New Mexico, during 
the Sixteenth National Irrigation Congress, and the second one, 
now, in this not less important scientific convention. 

But this fact of being two times representative of my people 
in your scientific congresses does not signify, at all, that we have 
not at home some one else to translate our fraternal feelings 
toward you and all American countries ; it signifies that Brazil, 
receiving your invitation, had not time enough to send to you 
some one else who could better represent it, giving to you a 
better idea of the scientific attainment, the technical knowl- 
edge, politeness, and refinement of my countrymen, proving to 
you what I have already said about our civilization. 

As I have said several times, I am not a standard of my 
people, I can only represent them as they are in the direction 
of duties. 

14 



Ladies, and Gentlemen, I believe that from my addresses 
yesterday, you can know how we Brazilians, in our national 
characteristics whieli is principally Americanism, according to 
the definition given b\- Dr. Joaquini Xabuco, appreciate your 
country. 

Many people say that we are very far from you in geo- 
graphical distance, that is true ; but they must know and I 
take pleasure in telling you again, that you are very near us in 
our thoughts. We Brazilians regard all American countries, 
and think of them with brotherly feelings, hoping for closer 
relations and friendship with them. 

Brazil can be considered as a second home of all people 
of our continent, and especially of the Ameri'can people, and I 
am sure, by my own experience, that America is a second home 
of us Brazilians. 

I am entirely satisfied among you, appreciating your 
splendid hospitality, and I have not had time yet to be home 
sick, and I sincerely do not believe that anybody could get 
home sick in this so hospitable a country. 

I am going to finish, but before doing so, I wish to express 
to you my highest appreciation for your courtesy in electing 
me your Vice-President for the Dry Farming Congress. 
Certainly this is a great honor to my beloved Brazil, whose 
Government extends to ,vou its greetings, testifying its highest 
appreciation for the courteous invitation extended to it, and 
wishes a complete success to this Congress that it 'considers of 
International interest. 

I, therefore, in behalf of the United States of Brazil, pre- 
sent to you, Americans, and to the distinguished representative 
of foreign countries its greeting's, and best M'ishes for the most 
successful results of this Congress, and prosperity of all 
nations here represented. 

Now a few Avords to Wyoming and Cheyenne, to the Amer- 
ican ladies." 

Then Dr. Baeta Neves paid high compliments to the State, 
Cheyenne and American Society, and afterwards took from his 
pocket a large silk Brazilian flag that he fondly unfolded and 
respectfully kissed, among the hearty applauses of the As- 
sembly, that greeted him. highly appreciating his patriotic 

15 



feelings and love for his native country. He described the 
beautiful flag giving the meaning of his national symbol, so 
full of significance, in the most beautiful and artistic 'combi- 
nation of colors and emblems, and afterwards he presented the 
flag to Mayor Peter Book, of Cheyenne, as representing the 
American families of that City. It was received by the Mayor 
amid the most enthusiastic applause of the assembly. 

Concerning the presentation speech of the flag by Dr. Baeta 
Neves, the "Che.yenne Daily Leader" of the following morn- 
ing, Feb. 26, said : 

* ' Brazilian Presents Flag To the City. ' ' 
"Senor L. Baeta-Neves, the special Brazilian Delegate to 
the Dry Farming Congress, and one of the most prominent 
figures among the delegates, last night in a most gracious and 
flowery speech, presented to the City of Cheyenne a large silk 
flag. 

The presentation speech was one of the most eloquent 
heard during this Congress, and the sentiments expressed 
therein by a representative from a far-distant nation for the 
future growth, prosperity and development of Cheyenne, spoke 
in the most flowery language and with gracious courtesies, will 
be long remembered. 

Mayor Peter Cook, received the gift in the name of the 
city, and in a few well cliosen words thanked the distinguished 
delegate from Brazil." 



The "Wyoming Tril)une" of the next morning, Feb. 26, 
under the title "Big Evening Session," said in part: 

The largest and most enthusiastic session of the entire 
Dry Farming congress was last evening when Capitol Avenue 
theatre was filled to the doors and many were obliged to stand 
during a large part of the program. 

A feature of the evening was a farewell address by 
Senor Baeta-Neves of Brazil, who expressed his appreciation 
of the welcome which had been extended him here and at the 
close of his remarks presented Mayor Cook with a beautiful 
Brazilian flag which he had brought with him from Brazil. 

16 



CLOSING SESSION OF THE DRY-FARMING CONGRESS. 

Dry Farming' Congress Adjourns. 

On the Eveniiiu- of Feb. .1.3, 1!)0!). 



Senor L. Baeta-Neves. of Brazil, made an eloquent speech 
in which he told of the warm feeling' of fraternity and friend- 
ship that hi.s eounti'viiiciil i'clt for the people of the United 
States. 

(The "Cheyeinie Daily Leader." Feb. 2(i. 1909.) 

Called upon by Governor Brook, President of the Con- 
gress, Dr. L. Baeta-Neves said in resumee : 

Your Excellency, Governor of Wyominu', and President of 
this Congress, Distinguised Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

You know I am an engineer by profession, and I do not 
pretend to be a speaker, but I think, Avhen we really feel what 
we say, the words said in a sincere manner can always be 
understood, coming either from a good speaker, or from any- 
body who is not very well acquainted with the art of public 
speaking. Besides, I do not care for beautiful words, said in 
an eloquent manner, what I wish is to be understood in my 
feelings, and from Avhat you have done for me. I think you 
pretty well understand my sentiments. 

Your kindness to me, the courteous manner in which you 
have received my first speeches, encouraged me very much in 
coming once more to this platform to say my last words to the 
Third Trans-]\Iissouri Dry Farming Congress. 

This is my personal good-bye. 

This meeting, ladies and gentlemen, bringing together 
Americans and foreigners, has for me the highest signifi'cation. 
being the most valuable proof of brotherly feelings from you. 
Americans, toward the representatives of the foreign nations, 
whom you have invited to see how you reclaim the desert, 
doing a service, not only to your native country, but to all 
American and foreign countries. 

This is the fourth time that I have the pleasure of speaking 
to the people of Cheyenne, to the Dry Farming Congress; this 
is, too. the fourth time that I come here to say to you that in 
South America, a people are Avorking. too, for the greatness 

17 



of our continent and thinking in a very friendly manner about 
the United States ; to say that in the Southern part of the 
Western Hemisphere, lies a country, that must be known, not 
only as "the country where the coffee comes from," as many 
people know it, but as a 'country of liberty under a wise gov- 
ernment, where civilization finds a prosperous home and grows 
fast, surprising the old world. I mean Brazil, the land of the 
Holy Cross, of the "Order and Progress," that I described to 
you yesterday, when I presented my flag to the City of Chey- 
enne, testifying my appreciation for its welcome to me, an a 
Brazilian, and as an official representative of my Government. 

The Americans who are not very well acquainted with the 
actual conditions in Brazil, must dismiss from their mind the 
words of the old and even some new geographies, and do not 
think that, there, we Brazilians, are sleeping eternally lazy, 
influenced by the tropical conditions of the climate. The 
authors of these books suppose that these tropical conditions do 
not favor our development and progress, forgetting that some- 
thing more than latitude must be considered in studying the 
natural conditions of a country. 

Even in the equatorial region, in the places, Avhere the 
lands are not sufficiently high to modify what naturally 'Comes 
from the latitude, the sunshine increasing a little more the 
temperature during the day, we have the nights and mornings 
delightfully cool, on account of the ocean breezes. 

To those who do not believe in what I say about Brazil, I 
am able to prove by facts the truth of my words. 

Now, let me stop speaking so much of my own country, I 
do not wish to keep you so busy with me, spending your precious 
time, that you can profit better in hearing somebody more 
entertaining than I. 

Americans, we Brazilians, in our loyalty to our continent, 
"without ever being enslaved to a selfish, low task," hope that 
the earth will not make many revolutions around the sun before 
the boundary lines, among American countries, will not signify 
anything more than lines for better administration of the Amer- 
ican nations then completed united by the most fraternal 
feelings. 

I thank you very much for your attention. 

18 



WORDS OF APPRECIATION OF THE DRY FARMING 

CONGRESS. 




Hon. John T. Burns, 
Secretary-Treasurer of the Dry Farming Congress. 



Sincere regards and the highest appreciation of 

L. Baeta-Neves. 

Telegrana. 

Cheyenne, Wyo.. 2-26-1909. 
Excellency Joaquin Nabuco, 

Brazilian Ambassador, 
Washington, D. C. 

In behalf of the Dry Farming Congress allow me to express appre- 
ciation of kindness yourself and Brazilian government in sending Dr. L. 
Baeta-Neves, as official delegate, to the Third Congress. The courteous 
diplomatic manner in which your delegate represented Brazil's in- 
terest in this movement created deep impression among representatives 
at this Congress, and we believe has done much to cement friendship 



between the people of the West and your nation. We were proud of 
Brazil's representative and hope for close official co-operation between 
your nation and this Congress in future. 
Bd. of Control. JOHN T. BURNS, Secretary, 

Dry Farming Congress. 



Letters from the Board of Control of the Dry Farming Congress on 

March 1 , 1 909: 
Office: 

1533 Cook Street, 
Denver, Colo. 
Hon. Affonso Penna, 

President of the United States of Brazil, 
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
Most Honorable Sir: 

It is the pleasure of the Secretary of the Dry Farming Congress to 
thank you and your country for sending to the Congress, the sessions 
of which have recently closed, a most interesting and able delegate, 
Dr. L. Baeta-Neves, who participated in all of the sessions of the Con- 
gress, and several times addressed the Congress on matters of interest, 
pertaining to the agricultural development of your country. We found 
Dr. Baeta-Neves one of the most enthusiastic members of the organiza- 
tion and we assure you that he has made many personal friends as 
well as political friends while in the city. 

We believe that his visit will be very helpful in educating our 
American people to a better knowledge of your country and people. 
We have honored Brazil by naming Dr. Baeta-Neves as a Vice-President 
of the Congress, which is. now an international organization from every 
standpoint. 

I hope we may look from this time forward, to an active 
co-operation between your country and this organization in the dis- 
semination and assembling of necessary information which will be help- 
ful to your people as well as ours. 

I shall be pleased indeed, to hear from you with any information or 
with any suggestions which you may desire to make as to the manner 
in which this organization can be of definite value to you and the 
agricultural development of your country. 

Respectfully, 

(Signed) JOHN T. BURNS, 
Secretary. 

Hon. Dr. Miguel Calmon, Secretary, 

Department of Agriculture, 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South America. 
Honorable Sir: 

The Third Trans-:Missouri Dry Farming Congress, just closed in 

20 



this city, was greatly honored by the presence of Dr. Lourenco Baeta- 
Neves, as a special delegate representing Brazil. 

In behalf of the Congress, allow the writer to thank Brazil for send- 
ing to us such an able and interested gentleman, and one who created 
a deep and lasting impression on his hearers by his statements of the 
condition of arid farming in Brazil, and of the feelings of Brazilian 
people towards the American people in general. 

We were pleased to learn that Dr. Joao Pinheiro da Silva, the 
lately deceased President of the State of :\Iinas Geracs, was a deet 
student of agriculture, and had done much to create an interest among 
the people of your country in the problems now before the Dry Farming 
Congress, and we are further pleased to know that you and the general 
officers of Brazil are giving active attention and study to the matter of 
crop production in the arid districts. 

We extended to Brazil the courtesy of naming Dr. Baeta-Neves 
as Vice-President of the Congress, and we look forward to a close and 
active co-operation between this Congress and your country through 
your Department and Senor Baeta-Neves in the future. 

Again assuring you that we appreciate the courtesy of sending us 
so able a representative of your country to the Congress and requesting 
that you give careful perusal to the enclosed Official Program of the 
Congress, I am. 

Very truly yours, 

(Signed) .TOHX T. BURNS, 
JTB— A Secretary. 

Enc. 

Honorable Dr. Wenceslau Braz, President, 

State of Minas Geraes, Bello Horisonte, 
Brazil, South America. 
Honorable Sir: 

It gives me great pleasure to address and thank yourself and your 
Government for sending to us, as a Special Delegate to the Third 
Trans-Missouri Dry Farming Congress, Dr. Lourenco Baeta-Neves, who 
several times addressed the Congress and whose addresses created a 
most lasting and agreeable impression upon the hundreds of delegates 
who heard him. 

I am further pleased to state that the Congress has elected Dr. 
Baeta-Neves as a Vice-President representing Brazil and that we look 
forward to a very close and definite co-operation between your State 
and Country and this Congress through the instrumentality of your 
Brazilian representative. 

Dr. Baeta-Neves delivered one of the most interesting addresses 
given up on the platform of the Congress and we believe that his inter- 
esting statements and charming personality were instrumental in ce- 
menting the lasting friendship between the people of this Congress 

21 



and those of Brazil, and I am sure that such is the case with the writer. 
If you will pardon me, I wish to state that Dr. Baeta-NeA^es spoke 
of yourself as being deeply interested in the problems before the arid 
farmers of the world, and especially did he speak of the keen personal 
interest of the deceased President, Hon. Joao Pinheiro da Silva in all 
of these problems, and expressed the hope that the Congress would 
find many warm supporters among the officials and people of your 
country. 

We look forward to the time when a branch of this Dry Farming 
Congress may be maintained for Brazil, the bulletins and official pub- 
lications, being translated and published in Portuguese instead of En- 
glish. 

We enclose herewith a copy of the Official Program of the Congress. 
Most respectfully yours, 
(Signed) JOHN T. BURNS, Secretary, 
.JTB — ^A Dry Farming Congress. 

Enc. 



Dry Farming Congress. 



Gov. Norris, of Montana, Writes Dr. L. Baeta-Neves to Interest Brazil in the Movement' 



Dr. L. Baeta-Neves, the visiting engineer and fraternal delegate of 
Brazil, who is making investigation in this country and who is residing 
in Knoxville, received yesterday a letter from Governor Edwin L. Norris 
of Montana. By virtue of hte authority belonging to his official con- 
nection with the congress of dry farming. Governor Norris appointed 
Dr. Neves corresponding secretary for the dry farming congress, his 
exact title being "Foreign Vice President and Corresponding Secretary 
for the Dry Farming Congress." 

The governor states that while the dry farming congress had its 
inception in the United States that it was for all of the nations of the 
world. The hope was that the leaders of all countries interested in 
"dry farming" would join in the movement. The expression of hope 
that Dr. Neves might be able to interest his country in the next con- 
gress of dry farimng to be held at Billings, IVIontana, Oct. 26-28. 

Dr. Neves has accepted the appointment out of both an interest in 
the cause to be promoted and out of feelings of fraternity that Brazil 
has for the United States. 

An interesting matter pertaining to the presence of the Brazilian 
representative in this city is that his children have been attendng 
the schools and by Dr. Neves' own request they were in the closing ex- 
ercises where the national airs were sung and the flag was saluted. 
— From the ".Journal and Tribune," Knoxville, Tenn., June 10, 1909. 

22 



Cheers for Brazil. 



Several times the Congress showed its appreciation for Brazil, 
giving cheers for her. 




A BKAZILl 



23 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




